Burt's Bees · Shaving Cream
Burt's Bees Natural Skin Care For Men Shave Cream 1 Bottle 6oz
Lower concern, cosmetic cream with no known PFAS drivers, but Burt's Bees offers no public PFAS transparency.
Burt's Bees shave cream is a water-based cosmetic product with no documented Teflon-family coating coatings, nonstick treatments, or water-repellency features that typically introduce PFAS. However, the brand does not publicly disclose PFAS testing or commitments, leaving routine cosmetic ingredient uncertainty.
Shop Burt's Bees on Amazon →Material
Water-based cream emulsion; typical cosmetic preservatives and stabilizers
Brand disclosure
Brand is silent on PFAS
Lab data
No public lab test
Why this grade
Category baseline
cosmetics is a category where PFAS exposure is more common.
No PFAS disclosure
No public statement about PFAS in this product.
Safe base material
Made from a material with no inherent PFAS use (ceramic, mineral, or natural fiber).
The full breakdown
What it's made of and why it matters
Burt's Bees shave cream is a water-based emulsion combining water, plant oils, and waxes with common cosmetic stabilizers and preservatives. The formulation avoids volatile organic compounds typical of aerosol shave foams, reducing inhalation exposure. The water base means no Teflon-type coating or silicone coatings, and no heavy metal pigments are needed for a simple opaque cream product.
The brand's record and disclosure
Burt's Bees holds USDA Organic certification for several product lines and markets itself on natural/minimal ingredient claims. The brand does not publicly disclose PFAS testing or avoidance commitments, which is typical for mid-tier personal care companies. No significant safety recalls or contamination incidents have been publicly reported for this shave cream line.
How it compares in its category
Shave creams as a category carry lower inherent hazard than metal cookware or textiles. Burt's Bees positions itself above mass-market brands that use synthetic fragrances and additional preservatives, but lacks the full transparency of indie brands that publish ingredient sourcing. Water-based formulas are generally safer than oil-only or aerosol alternatives because they do not aerosolize volatile compounds.
If you buy it
Store away from direct heat and sunlight to preserve emulsion stability and prevent degradation of plant-based oils. Patch test on a small area of skin first, especially if you have sensitive skin, to rule out fragrance or preservative irritation. Use within 12-18 months of opening; emulsions can separate or develop microbial growth if stored in humid bathrooms for extended periods. Do not ingest; keep out of children's reach.
Beyond PFAS: other things we checked
Established hazard classes for this product type, assessed from public information. These never change the PFAS grade; a Likely flag caps the Verdict at “Buy with care.”
Preservative safety (1,4-dioxane and formaldehyde releasers)
Burt's Bees does not publish detailed preservative Chemistry; water-based cosmetics often use methylisothiazolinone or parabens. 1,4-dioxane contamination is not typical in shave creams and has not been reported in this product, but cannot be ruled out without independent testing data.
Fragrance allergens and sensitizers
The product contains 'natural fragrance' and essential oils (cedarwood, lemongrass commonly listed in Burt's Bees formulas). Natural fragrance compounds can trigger contact dermatitis or respiratory irritation in sensitive individuals; this is a known category-wide concern, not specific to this brand.
Heavy metals in plant-derived pigments
Shaving creams are lightly pigmented or unpigmented; no reports of lead, cadmium, or arsenic contamination in Burt's Bees shave products. This hazard is more relevant to colored cosmetics (makeup, pigmented soaps).
Microplastic content
No microbeads or plastic microparticles are known to be intentionally added to this water-based cream. Emulsifiers and thickeners used are typically mineral or plant-derived, not plastic-derived.
Emulsion stability and microbial growth risk
Water-based emulsions are susceptible to bacterial or mold growth if exposed to moisture, warm temperatures, or contamination. Users should ensure the jar is sealed properly and not stored in steamy bathrooms for extended periods.
What we don’t know
This grade is a model-based estimate from public materials, coatings, and brand disclosure at 78% confidence. It is not a lab result.
No independent PFAS lab test is on record for this exact product. A lab test could move the score in either direction.
The brand has not made a specific, verifiable PFAS-free statement, so part of this score reflects that missing disclosure rather than a confirmed material.
Formulations and coatings change between production runs. Always check the current label before buying.
Safer alternatives in Shaving Cream
Baxter of California
Barbe Set
Stainless steel, brushes, standard cosmetic packaging
Lower concern, standard grooming tools with no known PFAS indicators, though brand discloses nothing.
✓Bare metal or glass, no coating at all
Kiehl's
Close Shavers Squadron Ultimate Razor Burn & Bump Relief
Stainless steel blade; gel/cream formula (water, glycerin, botanical extracts)
Lower PFAS concern, standard razor and aftercare gel with no known PFAS triggers, but brand discloses nothing.
⚠Risky category by default
Aesop
Moroccan Neroli Shaving Duet with 60ml Serum and Lotion
water-based serum and lotion emulsions in glass/plastic bottles
Lower PFAS concern for this leave-on cosmetic; no special coatings flagged.
⚠Risky category by default
More shaving cream grades
How we score: every product runs through the same public 0–100 rubric based on materials, coatings, brand disclosure, lab findings, and recalls. See the full methodology → Spotted a mistake? Report an error.